Accra: Mr. Mehmet Akmermer, the Managing Director of Galaxy International School, has urged students to embrace cultural diversity and be curious about the world to enrich their lives and promote global harmony and development. He made these remarks during the school's 19th Annual Inter-Cultural Festival themed "Harmony in Diversity: The World as One."
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Akmermer emphasized the importance of understanding and embracing different cultures, urging students to learn new languages, try dishes from other cultures, and seek understanding through kindness and respect. He highlighted that true intelligence is not just about knowledge but also about understanding others.
The event, held in Accra, showcased pupils from preschool to Senior High, dressed in traditional outfits from their native countries, including Ghana, Turkey, India, USA, UK, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Mali, La Cote d'Ivoire, Pakistan, Iran, Nigeria, China, and Angola. The festival celebrated cultural diversity through dance, exhibitions, singing, and culinary displays.
Mr. Akmermer painted a vivid picture of a world enriched by diversity, likening it to the vibrancy of a multicolored sky or a garden filled with different flowers. He urged students to anticipate a future where global challenges like climate change, poverty, and peace could only be addressed collectively, as technology continues to connect people across borders.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of curiosity and openness in shaping a future where borders serve as bridges rather than barriers. She called upon teachers to inspire respect, empathy, and acceptance among students, nurturing a generation that champions peace and cooperation.
Mr. Mohammed Adamu Ramadan, Member of Parliament for the Adentan Constituency, praised the cultural festival for broadening students' horizons. He commended Galaxy International School for its promotion of harmony among diverse nationalities and encouraged other schools to follow suit. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural identity by blending traditional languages with English.
Renowned Highlife Musician Okyeame Kwame, adorned in traditional Ghanaian attire, highlighted the beauty of cultural diversity and dynamism at the festival. He reiterated the festival's theme, celebrating global unity and peace through cultural expressions and performances, singing Bob Marley's "One Love" to capture the essence of the event.